Advertising display

ABSTRACT

An advertising display has support structures that attach to a pole. One or more advertising panels are mounted on the support structures to form an advertising display. The display may have the form of a cylinder, a triangle, a rectangle, an oval or other shapes. The display may optionally be tapered. The support structures may have a variety of score lines, at which the support may be folded as appropriate for the particular diameter of the pole. The panels may be secured to the supports by way of clips or other mechanical fasteners. Double-sided adhesive may be employed to secure ends of the panels, as desired.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/505,237, entitled “Cylindrical Advertising Display,”filed Jul. 7, 2011, and which is hereby incorporated by reference in itsentirety.

BACKGROUND

In the field of advertising, it is common to display posters, signs andother generally flat advertising media. These are often posted to walls,or allowed to hang downwardly from supports. The present inventionpresents a novel approach to providing a non-flat advertising mediumthat is supported by a central primary support, such as a lamp post, atree or other common support.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An advertising display system for mounting on a primary support, such asa pole, post or the like, has at least one display support. The numberof display supports may depend on the shape of the advertising display,for example, the size or other factors.

In one embodiment the display system includes a first display supportand at least a second display support, as well as at least one flexible,adjustable tie to secure the first and second supports to the primarysupport. The system also includes an advertising panel, the advertisingpanel mounted on and secured to the first and second display supportsand extending around the primary support. The display supports space theadvertising panel a distance from the primary support, each displaysupport being formed from a sheet of material and being foldable in afolding area of the display support, each display support having aplurality of markings to indicate fold lines to accommodate a variety ofprimary support sizes.

Various embodiments of the present inventions may include particularfeatures. For instance, the display supports may include markings whichmay be, for example, printed marks or lines, fold lines, score lines, orthe like. The advertising panel extends about the display supports toform a cylindrical advertising display. In alternative embodiments, theadvertising panel may be oval, or may include a plurality ofsub-displays, to form triangular or rectangular displays. The triangulardisplay embodiment, for example, may include additional displaysupports, such as three display supports. Similarly, an embodiment for arectangular display may include four display supports.

The advertising panel and the panel supports may be made from a varietyof materials, including a polyvinyl chloride (pvc), cardboard or othersturdy, printable material. In one embodiment, the advertising panel andsupports are formed from the same sheet material, although the panelsupports may alternatively be formed from a different material than theadvertising panel.

The system may further include fasteners for fastening the advertisingpanel to the display supports, such as screws, bolts and nuts, Vikingclips, other mechanical fasteners, adhesive, heat bonding, and/or othersecuring methods known in the art. Adhesive or mechanical fasteningmeans may be used to secure a first end of an advertising panel to asecond end of the advertising panel.

Visual information, such as text and/or graphics, may be printed on theadvertising panel. The information is pre-printed in most embodiments.In some embodiments, the advertising panel is tapered, having a widerdimension on one end and a narrower dimension on an opposite end.Correspondingly, at least one display support may be tapered in thisembodiment, having a wider dimension on one end and a narrower dimensionon an opposite end.

The foregoing is merely exemplary. Additional features and aspects ofthe invention may be found in the Detailed Description and Drawings, forexample. Consequently, the present invention is not limited by thisSummary but should be interpreted in the broader context of the DetailedDescription, Drawings and Claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of an array of advertising displaysaccording to the present invention, in this case advertising displayssecured to lamp posts in a parking lot;

FIGS. 2A-2D illustrates diagrams of flat printed sheets according to thepresent invention, as well as side views of sample support structures;

FIG. 3 illustrates a support panel according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the support panel of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 illustrates a support assembly being secured to a post;

FIG. 6 illustrates a sheet wrapped around a pole and support panels;

FIG. 7 illustrates the wrapped sheet having been rotated and lifted upto be secured onto the support panels;

FIG. 8 illustrates the display as fully assembled and secured to thesupport panels;

FIG. 9 illustrates a support structure for an alternative embodimentsquare advertising display;

FIG. 10 illustrates rectangular panels being installed on the supportstructure of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 illustrates a square advertising display constructed and beingmoved upwardly into place on a central pole;

FIG. 12 is a top view of an oval embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 illustrates a panel being wrapped about a support structure toform the oval embodiment of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 illustrates final assembly of the oval embodiment of FIG. 12;

FIG. 15 illustrates a support structure for a triangular embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 16 is a top view of a support and display panel assembly of theembodiment of FIG. 14;

FIG. 17 is a partially-assembled view illustrating two of the threepanels of the embodiment of FIG. 15;

FIG. 18 illustrates the triangular embodiment of FIG. 15 fully assembledand being pushed into position on a pole;

FIG. 19 illustrates a support member of the support structure for atapered version of the present invention;

FIG. 20 illustrates securing two tapered support structures as shown inFIG. 19 to a pole;

FIG. 21 illustrates a support structure panel having a plurality ofscore lines for adjusting the support to the corresponding polediameter;

FIG. 22 illustrates wrapping display panel about a tapered supportstructure;

FIG. 23 illustrates a double support panel cut-out from which twosupport panels can be constructed; and

FIG. 24 illustrates a display panel for forming the tapered display ofFIG. 22.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates one example of an implementation of the presentinvention. Cylindrical advertising displays such as 1 are mounted onrespective light poles. A support structure is provided in conjunctionwith each display to support each display on a respective pole.

FIG. 2 illustrates building blocks of one embodiment of an advertisingsystem according to the present invention. The basic component is aprinted sheet of predetermined dimensions. In FIG. 2A-2C, sheets 2, 3and 4 are all example diagrams of sheets that may be used according tothe present invention. Each of sheets 2, 3 and 4 include a pattern ofholes that are explained in more detail below and that serve in securingthe respective sheet to a corresponding support structure. Side views ofexample support structures, which will be explained in more detailbelow, are illustrated as reference numerals 5 and 6.

Considering now the support structure in detail, and referring to FIG.3, support panel 10 is a panel having two parts 10A and 10B. The parts10A and 10B are secured together using, for example, Viking clips. Thepanels have score lines 12 extending the length of the panel atpredetermined intervals along the width of the panel, which allow thepanel to be configured for a particular diameter of supporting pole,post or the like. Particular score lines are used as fold lines. Theparticular score line that is used as a fold line depends upon thediameter of the central support.

For example, with a central support having a large diameter, a scoreline may be chosen to be a fold line fairly near to the edge 14 of thepanel 10. On the other hand, for a central support having a narrowdiameter, a score line may be selected nearer to the edge 16 of thepanel 10. FIG. 4 illustrates the panel 10 in more detail. Several scorelines 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D, 12E and 12F are illustrated.

In one embodiment, score line 12A is used as a fold line when a post(FIG. 4) is 2 inches in diameter. Fold line 12B would be used when thepost is 4 inches in diameter, while fold line 12C would be used when thepost is 6 inches in diameter. Fold line 12D would be used for a 8 inchdiameter pole, 12E would be folded for a 10 inch diameter pole, and fora very large pole of 12 inches, 12F would be the fold line.

The two panels 10A and 10B are secured together at apertures 16, such asby Viking clips. In use, Viking clips are unscrewed and removed asappropriate in order to free up the panels to fold at the appropriatelocation. Securing means other than Viking clips may alternatively beused.

FIG. 5 illustrates two sets of panels 10 and 20, with one set of panelson each side of a pole 22. In this specific non-limiting example, thepole has a diameter of 2 inches, and the panels have been foldedappropriately to correspond to a 2 inch diameter pole. Once the panels10 and 20 are placed on opposite sides of the pole 22, zip ties areinserted through holes in each of the panels 10 and 20. The pointed endof the zip tie is inserted into the receiving end of the zip tie and thestrap is pulled tight to lock the panels in place. Any excess strap maybe cut off so as to prevent excess material. The zip ties arerepresented by reference numerals 24, 26, 28 and 30. It is to beunderstood that more or fewer zip ties may be used in a particularapplication.

Referring now to FIG. 6, a cylindrical sign 32 is wrapped about thepanels 10 and 20. The sign 32 is secured into its cylindricalconfiguration with Viking clips 34A, 34B, 34C and 34D. At this point,the cylindrical sign 32 is a wrap. The wrap is lifted and rotated ifnecessary (FIG. 7). Holes in the wrap are aligned with correspondingholes in the panels 10, 20. Viking clip screws are inserted through theholes and then secured onto the wrap with corresponding wing nuts fromthe inside of the cylindrical sign 32. This step is repeated on thelower holes on the wrap 32, to secure the wrap to the supporting panels10, 20. The wrap may have multiple sets of holes for a particularlysecure fit, as desired.

FIG. 8 illustrates the cylindrical wrap in a secured configuration. Theseam at which the wrap is wrapped 36 may optionally be covered with astrip of tape, if desired. Alternatively, adhesive may be applied to theinterior of the wrap itself along the edge, such that the assembly isself adhering. Or, the adhesive along an edge of the wrap may be coveredwith a release liner that the user removes when securing the edges ofthe wrap 32 together in the final step.

The foregoing display unit can be utilized on a variety of supports 22,such as poles, trees, rectangular shaped posts, or any of a wide varietyof other supports. As a non-limiting example, for a display unit of 18inches diameter, for example, the support size may typically range from2 inches up to 12 inches. In one embodiment, the height of 18 inchdiameter unit is 48 inches. This unit utilizes two panel extenders at180° of rotation.

For a larger wrap unit, a pole size might range from between 2 inches upto 12 inches while the diameter of the display unit is 30 inches. Inthis particular embodiment, which is non-limiting and is presented onlyfor purposes of example, the height of the panel is 58 inches. Thislarger unit may use more than 2 panel extenders, such as 10 and 20 inFIG. 3. It is possible for a large unit to use a greater number ofsupport panels (not shown) such as 3 or 4 or more, depending upon thesize of the display unit and other factors. Again, the support can beround, square or any other shape, and may be used on trees. It is alsonoted that typically the display unit will have a vertical orientation.However, in some applications the orientation may be at an angle or maybe horizontal, depending on the orientation of the support and theorientation desired.

In one embodiment, the display panels are screen printed panels on whichthe screen printing has been applied directly to 0.030 super opaquestyrene. The styrene is dye cut to size per predetermined dye lines.Typically the units are held together in the cylindrical configurationwith tape that is double-sided permanent tape. However, as can beimagined, many different adhesive types and configurations can be used.In one embodiment, the double-sided tape is 1/32″ thick.

Concerning support panels, there will usually not be ad printing onsupport panels as they are not visible to the outside viewer. Theseinterior support panels are dye cut per predetermined specification. Inone embodiment, 4 mm wide coroplast may be used for the support panels.As noted above, one type of securing unit is the Viking clip and, in onespecific embodiment, 16 Viking clips are used in total on the assembly.However, this specific number can vary greatly depending on theapplication and configuration of the display unit.

FIG. 9 illustrates a support assembly including a support members 110.These support members are similar to the support members illustrated infor example FIG. 6. However, the configuration of FIG. 9, there will befour support structures 110 a-d which, in turn, will support fourrectangular panels 132 a-d (FIG. 10). Each support panel 110 is attachedto a respective display panel 132 by way of screws, nuts, bolts, Vikingclips or other fasteners. Typically apertures are provided in both thesupport structure and the display panels in order to facilitate themounting.

FIG. 11 illustrates a completely assembled rectangular advertisingdisplay, arranged about the central pole 122. In FIG. 11, the assemblyhas been fully assembled, however the assembly may be pushed upwardlyinto position for viewing on the pole.

Considering FIG. 12, the advertising display may take still othershapes. For example, in FIG. 12 the display panel has an oval shape. Twosupport structures 210 a, b, as previously illustrated, are utilized.Each support structure supports a minor edge of the display panel 232,which then extends about pole 222.

FIG. 13 illustrates a display panel sheet 232 being wrapped about thesupport structures and secured thereto using nuts, bolts, screws 234 orthe like. Considering FIG. 14, the very end of the display panel may besecured back upon the display panel using double sided tape, forexample. In FIG. 14, a strip of double sided tape 236 is shown with thebacking 238 being removed, so that the very end of the panel may besecured thereto.

Now considering a triangular sign or display embodiment, FIG. 15illustrates a three support system. Each support structure supports 310a-c one panel 332 a-c of the triangular display. As seen in FIG. 16, forexample, the support structures may support the display panels atapproximately the center of each display panel.

FIG. 17 shows the triangular assembly with one panel removed so that thesupporting system 310 a-c may be seen. To complete the display of FIG.17, an additional panel would be secured into place. FIG. 18 thusillustrates the final steps in assembling the triangular displayassembly. The final display panel is screwed into place both on thesupport structures and on the extending tabs of the adjacent panels. Theextending tabs 340 b, c of the adjacent panels may be seen, forinstance, in FIG. 17.

It may be desired in some circumstances to have a tapered display. So,for instance, FIG. 19 shows a tapered support structure having wide end410 and 412, FIG. 20 shows two tapered support structures mounted by wayof plastic straps 424 onto a respective pole 422. As discussedpreviously, the pole may be of any of a number of diameters.Consequently, the support cut out shown in FIG. 21 that is used to formthe support structures has a number of different score lines,corresponding to different pole diameters. The score lines 412A-F may bechosen based upon which diameter of pole is to be used.

FIG. 22 illustrates the process of wrapping a tapered display panelabout the support structure to form the tapered display. FIG. 23illustrates an efficient way to manufacture the support structure FIG.21, for example by creating two support structures, A and B, out of asingle sheet. After the single sheet of FIG. 23 is cut, for example, itmay be cut again down the middle to form the two separate supportstructures. FIG. 24 is an illustration of the display panel utilized inFIG. 22. The display panel FIG. 24, for instance, has a narrower bottomend 434 b than top end 434 a, allowing the display to be tapereddownwardly. In other embodiments, the narrow end may be the top of thedisplay for example with the wider end being at the bottom of thedisplay. In that case, the taper flares the opposite direction, so thatthe wider portion is at the bottom of the display and the narrowerportion is at the top of the display.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that, while particular forms ofthe invention have been illustrated and described, various modificationscan be made without parting from the spirit and scope of the invention.For example, the display need not always be cylindrical, but mayalternatively be other shapes, such as triangular, square, rectangular,or other cross sections depending on the configuration desired. Othervariations may be made within the scope of the invention. Consequently,the invention is not limited to the foregoing illustrated embodiments,which are presented for purposes of illustration and not of limitation.

1. An advertising display system for mounting on a primary support, suchas a pole, post or the like, the display comprising; a first displaysupport; a second display support; at least one flexible, adjustable tieto secure the first and second supports to the primary support; anadvertising panel, the advertising panel mounted on and secured to thefirst and second display supports and extending around the primarysupport; wherein the display supports space the advertising panel adistance from the pole post or the like, each display support beingformed from a sheet of material and being foldable in a folding area ofthe display support, each display support having a plurality of markingsto indicate fold lines to accommodate a variety of primary supportsizes.
 2. An advertising display system as defined in claim 1, whereinthe markings on the display supports are fold lines. 3-4. (canceled) 5.An advertising display system as defined in claim 1, wherein theadvertising panel comprises first, second and third subpanels, thesystem further including a third display support, the first, second andthird subpanels being respectively secured to the first, second andthird subpanels to form a triangular advertising display.
 6. Anadvertising display system as defined in claim 1, wherein theadvertising panel and the panel supports comprise a polyvinyl chloride(pvc).
 7. An advertising display system as defined in claim 1, whereinthe advertising panel and the display support are formed from at leastone sheet of material.
 8. An advertising display system as defined inclaim 1, wherein the at least one sheet of material is a pvc material.9. An advertising display system as defined in claim 1, wherein theadvertising panel comprises first, second, third and fourth subpanels,the system further including third and fourth display supports, thefirst, second, third and fourth subpanels being respectively secured tothe first, second, third and fourth subpanels to form a rectangularadvertising display.
 10. An advertising display system as defined inclaim 1, wherein the system further comprises mechanical fasteners forfastening the advertising panel to the display supports.
 11. Anadvertising display system as defined in claim 1, wherein the systemfurther comprises adhesive to secure a first end of an advertising panelto a second end of the advertising panel.
 12. An advertising displaysystem as defined in claim 1, wherein visual information is printed onthe advertising panel. 13-21. (canceled)
 22. An advertising displaysystem for displaying a two-dimensional panel to various sized andshaped vertical supports, the display system comprising: at least twoadjustable, extendable substantially “I” shaped radial members, eachcomprising a base end adapted to bear against the vertical support, abody having an adjustable length, and a transverse end for receiving thetwo dimensional panel, and each radial member including a plurality ofspaced apart apertures along the body; a flexible, adjustable cablepassing through at least one of said apertures on each body and aroundthe vertical support, the flexible, adjustable cable including atightening mechanism to secure the radial members to the verticalsupport; and a two dimensional panel secured to the transverse end ofthe radial members; whereby the two dimensional panel extends at least270° around the vertical support.
 23. The advertising display system ofclaim 22, wherein the transverse members include a pair of holes forreceiving a pair of fasteners to secure the two dimensional panel to theradial members.